Sodium Ion Stabilized Vanadium Oxide Nanowire Cathode for High‐Performance Zinc‐Ion Batteries

TLDR

Aqueous Zn‑ion batteries are attractive for large‑scale energy storage due to their cost‑effectiveness and material abundance, yet suitable cathode materials remain a major challenge. This study reports the design and construction of aqueous Zn//Na₀.₃₃V₂O₅ batteries. The reversible Na‑intercalation mechanism in the cathode was confirmed by X‑ray diffraction, Raman, X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM analyses. The Na₀.₃₃V₂O₅ cathode delivers 367.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and retains over 93 % capacity after 1000 cycles, with its high conductivity and stable layered structure—enabled by Na‑ion pillars—underpinning the superior performance.

Abstract

Abstract Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have received incremental attention because of their cost‐effectiveness and the materials abundance. They are a promising choice for large‐scale energy storage applications. However, developing suitable cathode materials for ZIBs remains a great challenge. In this work, pioneering work on the designing and construction of aqueous Zn//Na 0.33 V 2 O 5 batteries is reported. The Na 0.33 V 2 O 5 (NVO) electrode delivers a high capacity of 367.1 mA h g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 , and exhibits long‐term cyclic stability with a capacity retention over 93% for 1000 cycles. The improvement of electrical conductivity, resulting from the intercalation of sodium ions between the [V 4 O 12 ] n layers, is demonstrated by single nanowire device. Furthermore, the reversible intercalation reaction mechanism is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, Raman, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The outstanding performance can be attributed to the stable layered structure and high conductivity of NVO. This work also indicates that layered structural materials show great potential as the cathode of ZIBs, and the indigenous ions can act as pillars to stabilize the layered structure, thereby ensuring an enhanced cycling stability.